October, 2009 Archives

This is describing what all are already doing in response to a miracle. We are supposed to be doing more.

Part of Hallel is the recognition that He is above all forms of Hallel. This is signified by His glory being above the heavens.

We are still comparing how limited is the praise of the other nations. This obviously is also a reminder to us not to fall into the same traps.

This is a theme that will repeat itself with David; that which is High comes down to us, the arrogant are lowered, and the humble are lifted. Why is this essential to Hallel?

Hashem’s greatness in terms that are beyond us, yet He is concerned for the weak etc.

We are singing with the joy of all songs past.

We are singing because we are servants of Hashem. The world was sinning until we sang Hallel. It is the praise of the world to its Creator. For some reason the Sages saw that we had to become servants of God in order to sing Hallel. Unless we recognize that we are servants we cannot sing Hallel.

We are singing because Hashem made us His servants.

We are referring to the letters of Hashem’s name that were used in the creation of this and the Future world. This also seems to be saying that Hashem sings with us.

We are not completely the servants of Hashem if it is not also acknowledged by all the people of the world.

Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi said: The Book of Psalms was said in ten different forms of praise: “Nituach”, Niggun”, Maskil”, “Mizmor”, “Shir” “Ashrei” “Tehillah” “Tefilah”, Hodaah”, and “Halleluyah”. The greatest of them all is Halleluyah for it incorporates the Divine Name and Praise together in one word. (Pesachim 117a)

The Praise and Thanks of Hallel are empowered by God.

The opening word of the Hallel is how we call on God’s assistance in singing His praises and expressing our joy and gratitude.

My very good friend and role model of prayer, Sam Glaser recently produced an album with his Hallel. (You can find it at Sam Glaser: Glaser Musicworks: www.samglaser.com) I love it. I love singing the Hallel along with him. I am convinced that Reb Sam found the perfect tunes to match the powerful words of King David. His tunes help me sing the Hallel in a way that no other tunes can. I have sung Reb Sam’s Hallel so many times that I finally can remember his tunes.

But, I have a problem: Whenever we reach the Hallel in davening, I find myself singing all the old tunes out of habit and can’t seem to recall any of Reb Sam’s tunes. It is so frustrating! I want to sing Reb Sam’s Hallel. I plan on singing his tunes, but when the time comes, I find myself singing all the old tunes. (I guess I should fly Reb Sam out whenever I need to sing Hallel.)

I suspect that I am not alone in singing Hallel in habit rather than spontaneous joy. The purpose of this book is to help me, and, hopefully, you, learn new forms of Hallel and achieve new levels each time we open with Halleluyah.